Canal+ probed over TV channel contracts

France’s competition council has launched an investigation into exclusive broadcasting contracts between pay-TV operator Canal+ and certain specialist channels. The inquiry stems from a complaint lodged last year from French group AB claiming Canal+ has blocked its channels from being broadcast on certain broadband Internet services. Canal+ a unit of Vivendi, has exclusive contracts with around 50 thematic channels, which means they are bundled with a subscription to Canal’s pay-TV service.